Sharing Jesus

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT)

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Love God = Love Neighbor

Love Neighbor = Love God

Who is our neighbor?

A friend

According to Jewish tradition any member of the Hebrew nation

According to JESUS any person that we live near or chance to meet.

Webster’s Dic. Evangelism Def. 1 The winning of personal commitments to Christ

Webster’s Dic. Evangelism Def. 2 The revival of personal commitments to Christ

Revival: Improvement or strengthening of, something becoming important again

The Message Acts 26:17-18

“‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’

Compare and Contrast (Spiritually)

Dark and Light

Before Jesus I was…. Now I am…

Satan and God

Jesus never lies, Satan deceives

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Satan wants to rob you of peace…

The Offer

Forgiveness of sins

A place in the family of God

An invitation to begin living in a new way with others

Types of Evangelism

Accusation of wrong (you are a sinner!) (usually without love, not Mtt. 22:40 )

Cold Sell (Did you know that you need Jesus?)

Practical Needs

Prophetic Evangelism

The Long Game

In golf, the long game is the phase of the game where distance driving is the most important factor.

How?

Abide with Jesus

Overflow with His love, joy, peace

Love (Agape) others, not matter who/what they are

Ask for boldness

And now, O Lord, hear their threats (government/leadership), and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Acts 4:29

Boldness: free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage

Prepare

Pray/get prayer (ask for timing/prophetic word etc.)

Write your testimony

A few minutes in length (before Jesus I was… After Jesus I am…)

Practice your testimony (in front of mirror, with timer, outloud to someone!)

Pray for people you know by name (Acts 26:18)

That their eyes would be open to spiritual truth

That they turn away from sin and darkness and turn to Jesus

That they would find a place among God’s people (church/discipleship)

Be aware of people around you (no in a hyper alert way)

Listen to the Holy Spirit

Be ready to offer prayer, help

Obey – If God asks you to do something, do it!

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Romans 10:13-15 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Isaiah 6:8 – And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

God is sending each of you to make disciples one at a time!